As the Mets ponder what to do for next year’s team, I offer a name for the Mets to consider. Rod Barajas. Barajas has a lot of negatives and a lot of positives as almost all MLB catchers do. A look at his line for 09 shows nothing really impressive. In fact many would look at this to be in fact god awful.Â
| .232 | .264 | .412 | .675 |
 However, I ask you to look beyond those numbers. What does he provide? Of course the most glaring thing is he does provide pop. He does have 18 HR this season in less than 400 AB’s. But no this is not just another panic move where the Mets go out seeking a HR only guy because we need HR. A closer look reveals how he would be an ideal platoon partner for Santos. Barajas’s 2009 line against LHP is
| .265 | .299 | .500 | .799 |
 While certainly not ideal, those numbers would put him very near the top in the NL catcher race.  But wait a minute you say. How does a RH Barajas provide a platoon partner for the RH Omir Santos? A look at Santos numbers and you will see. Omir’s overall line for this year
| .260 | .296 | .396 | .692 |
Against RH, yes I said RH, pitchers his line improves to
| .280 | .319 | .406 | .725 |
So if you could actually combine those into something usable you would get a league average or better catcher with some pop hitting in most likely the 7/8 spot in the lineup.
Barajas would also do a few other things. He would be relatively cheap. He is coming off a 2.5M contract but may not get that much in FA as that was 6 times more than he made the previous season. He would also allow Thole time to develop giving the Mets at least an MLB caliber catcher on the roster. Finally, the Blue Jays lead the majors in pitching last year and have a system that others have modeled after in their bullpen. I am sure some of that has rubbed off during Barajas 2 years as their primary catcher.
(Stats provided by www.baseball-reference.com)
74 comments
ceetar
9/24/2009-10:06am at 10:06 am (UTC -4)
There is a lot wrong with this. I don’t have anything against Barajas and I don’t think he’s a bad choice. (I wouldn’t mind Jose Molina as a backup/defensive guy either since the Yankees aren’t likely to resign him)
A. Santos is not a major league player. He should have no place on the 2010 Mets.
B. Manuel doesn’t look at stats, and won’t buy into a RH hitting righties well.
I think we need a good contact hitter, sorta like Lo Duca in 2006, that’s a really solid catcher/game caller/those intangibles that you can never really put your finger on. He’ll be hitting down in the lineup and the last thing we need when the middle of the order guys get on is Francoeur and our catcher striking out back to back to ruin a rally.
Kingman 26
9/24/2009-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
Santos is not a major league player? He wouldn’t be a fine backup if Thole is ready to be a starter?
That is almost as ridiculous as calling the Phillies soft.
fongy2
9/24/2009-10:26am at 10:26 am (UTC -4)
Thank you Mr. voice of reason.
Kingman 26
9/24/2009-10:32am at 10:32 am (UTC -4)
LOL–thanks and good morning!
Just wanted you to know, NO offense is EVER taken at your remarks, and I did leave a friendly response on the other thread last night…..
fongy2
9/24/2009-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
Cool, Ya know I can be a chop-buster! And with you especially
I never mean any harm or disrespect.
I’d like your thoughts on my “must sign Lackey” idea.
And either Crawford(best case) OR DeJesus(cheaper) answer
for LeftField. b/t/w, I like YOUR idea of Josh Bard as Catcher
to at least begin the season,keeping the seat warm for Thole.
Kingman 26
9/24/2009-11:00am at 11:00 am (UTC -4)
To me, Lackey and Crawford, all things considered, may be the very best, most realistic, and affordable way to dramatically improve this team.
And I completely return the thoughts; have always tremendously enjoyed our back and forth on baseball, politics, music, movies, etc.
fongy2
9/24/2009-11:17am at 11:17 am (UTC -4)
Mes think Crawford is the most perfect fit for
this team in LF…by far!
I like but don’t love Lackey however, the problem
is, if not Lackey then who?
I do understand the likelyhood of a budget and
that,that being the case and if Crawford either
doesn’t get traded or the price is crazy….
I think DeJesus is a solid(if not great)alternative. B/T/W, I’m thinking more and more
that “FMart” may never even be David DeJesus.
Lastly, if you got an offer of Rowand&Sanchez
from the Giants for Bel-Tron, do you bite???
trs86
9/24/2009-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
FUNNY, I promise I was thinking about that this morning but it would have to be a more reliable pitcher than Sanchez.
If we could add prospects to the deal and get Cain it makes a lot more sense. I would not trade Beltran for a bad Rowand and Ollie Perez.
fongy2
9/24/2009-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
Agreed, someone brought it up to me last
night and at first i thought “OKay not bad”
BUT then I rechecked Sanchez and he appears
to be Ollie Perez II.
trs86
9/24/2009-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
Now would they consider Beltran and a prospect for Cain?
ceetar
9/24/2009-1:51pm at 1:51 pm (UTC -4)
Santos is not a major league player. He had a couple of hot weeks with the Mets this year. Yeah, I’d be fine if he was the backup if Thole was ready to go, but we won’t find that out in one month, especially with the ‘manager’ starting Schneider two days in a row.
And the Phillies _are_ pretty soft. They haven’t faced much adversity at all during their reign. The Mets played bad baseball, they got into the playoffs. No one pushed them hard in the playoffs, they were never back against the wall, they were never down. All the confidence they have is do to succeeding where the Mets failed.
trs86
9/24/2009-2:20pm at 2:20 pm (UTC -4)
Looking at this year’s catchers, as I did in my Santos piece, you may not like it but he IS a MLB player. IF he is not then 3/4 of the catchers in the league are not MLB players. I wonder if they know?
Kingman 26
9/24/2009-6:20pm at 6:20 pm (UTC -4)
Ceetar, your comments about the Phillies are SO utterly ridiculous, they devalue anything else you say.
Their closer blows eleven games thie year and they still win the division with ease. Yeah, their perfect closer blowing ELEVEN saves is not adversity. The Phils are–in every way–the complete opposite of soft.
Back to Metsblog with this ridiculous and complete nonsense.
fongy2
9/24/2009-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, Thanks BUT no thanks on Barajas!
Having seen enough of him a couple yrs ago down here in the Phillies market,
there are two problems with him. 1)He has Bobby Abreu disease,in that he keeps away from
contact behind the plate,i.e. avoids ANY chance of a collision. 2)Is very much like
Brian Scheider in that,when you see him from afar,a series at a time all you hear is
what a good defender he is HOWEVER, when you see him daily you realize hes not all
THAT good.
Lets not waste time with a 34/35 y/o career back-up hoping (theres that word again)
he’ll be something for us he never has been for anyone else.
trs86
9/24/2009-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
I am not hoping he will be anything more than an MLB catcher in a platoon. I think he, considering the options, can do that quite well. Unless you really want Thole to be abused by Jerry next year from the start.
metsfan4decades
9/24/2009-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
I don’t think there is any doubt that Santos is on this team next year. In fact, I heard yesterday many saying he’d be fine as the starting catcher. Not sure I agree with that, but I have no problem with Santos as a platoon or backup.
I really don’t think Thole up here as catcher next year is a smart move. He needs another year in AAA. Worst case scenario is we could go with him, but I just do not think he is ready.
FA catchers this off season leave a lot to be desired. It’s going to be interesting to see just how ‘creative’ this FO can get to fill holes we need.
DNDJohan aka kistics
9/24/2009-10:31am at 10:31 am (UTC -4)
He’s got a hot wife! Let’s sign him up! oh wait…. I think Schneider has a hot wife too….
Kingman 26
9/24/2009-10:34am at 10:34 am (UTC -4)
Yes sir, alas, the hot wife quotient does not, quite clearly, translate into good on-field performance, as Mrs. Schneider vividly demonstrates….she definitely went for Brian the Mediocre based on his defensive reputation and not his actual performance….
fongy2
9/24/2009-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
That was funny. The problem with hating our Catchers is that there aren’t
many good ones out there even if we had unlimited funds to spend.
trs86
9/24/2009-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
Guys my point is that we are not going to get a good catcher, Santos will be here and getting most starts we need a good backup that would sign short term and still provide something for the team. Unless you are getting Molina or Hernandez there are no starting catchers on the market and Hernandez was worse than Santos.
CaseStreet
9/24/2009-10:46am at 10:46 am (UTC -4)
I like Barajas. Power, Strong Arm, and Good Defense.
Santos has to be the backup. No question.
fongy2
9/24/2009-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
Power,no doubt. Strong arm,o.k.. Good Defense, not so much.
And b/t/w, Barajas is one of the few guys who might not been able to beat
all the Molinas in a foot race.
trs86
9/24/2009-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
Question is, can we get any veteran that’s better considering the cost?
fongy2
9/24/2009-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
True BUT how much separation is b/t guys like Barajas,Bard etc.
I thought a couple yrs ago we should have signed Kendall and
would still like that if on a one yr, cheap deal.
trs86
9/24/2009-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
Take a look at Kendall’s numbers? Why? What does he provide over Barajas?
trs86
9/24/2009-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
.237 .326 .288 .614
If you combined all of his HR since 2002 you would get what Barajas has this year. Again HR are not the end all be all but at least he provides SOMETHING.
fongy2
9/24/2009-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
Kendall is a far superior Defensive Catcher
and from what I understand teammate.
But pls note, I’m not advocating signing him.
It’s just a thought.
My point really is (as i felt)a couple yrs ago,
we’d have been better off signing him and
using Lastings as bait for more than we got for
him.
trs86
9/24/2009-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
I don’t think at this point Kendall is any better defensively. And what is this teammate junk? Now Barajas is a bad teammate. You throw this stuff up way too much.
My point is that out of the garbage, Barajas seems to be the best one.
fongy2
9/24/2009-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)
I dont think either is trash and I do
have to tell you that it is absurdly naive
to not try to understand the dynamic of
what goes on outside the lines.
Baseball isn’t played nor are games won
just on the field and its hard for me
to understand anyone over the age of about
16 who doesn’t understand that.
trs86
9/24/2009-11:54am at 11:54 am (UTC -4)
What reports do you have that Barajas is a bad teammate?
fongy2
9/24/2009-11:57am at 11:57 am (UTC -4)
I saw enough comcast/Phillie pre and post
game chatter a couple yrs ago which would
lead any uninvolved,non-biased viewer to
grasp that he wasn’t very well liked in
that clubhouse.
trs86
9/24/2009-11:59am at 11:59 am (UTC -4)
OK, so you got nothing. Anyway, you don’t like him and want someone worse than him or Thole. I get it and we are wasting each other’s time.
fongy2
9/24/2009-12:07pm at 12:07 pm (UTC -4)
Obviously I am since you have already
judged and convicted,whats the point.
You just shouldn’t complain when he
turns out to be a bust and Thole has
spent 2/3 months in AAA hitting .300.
You’re the one with the absolutes,
not me. I think that if another C
is signed there are other guys to
look at than just Barajas who you’ve
turned into Johnny Bench despite
having seen him what…a handful of
times in his career?
But since the almighty TRS says
move on…I guess I will.
trs86
9/24/2009-12:10pm at 12:10 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, Fongy. We can keep on if you want to waste more time on it. LOL.
And considering that I have referred to him as bad and garbage I don’t think Bench plays into the discussion.
As I said, he appears to be light years ahead of the next crap in line.
trs86
9/24/2009-12:11pm at 12:11 pm (UTC -4)
But from that I take it that you want to start out next year with Santos and Thole behind the plate. That’s reasonable if we go that route. If we go the vet route I think Barajas is the best option out of the FA.
Of course I am worried about the Thole platoon actually damaging our future fulltime catcher in Thole.
fongy2
9/24/2009-12:40pm at 12:40 pm (UTC -4)
Want I “want” is Joe Mauer BUT that ain’t
gonna happen. I try to be realistic and
since Thole has shown hes not overwhelmed
in the bigs following a great AA season
why not think of him as at least half
our Catching duo for 2010.
besides, hes not a 20 y/o who flew through
the system. If hes ready, hes ready.
AND he looks pretty ready to me!
Since there is and will be a budget and it
may well be less than this yrs, there are
clearly other needs to be addressed.
I think(and i could be wrong) that,
The FO will look at Murph as our 1Bman &
Thole/Santos as our Cers, making LF &
Pitching the priorities.
My own feeling is that, they should do
exactly that.
trs86
9/24/2009-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
That’s reasonable. I still question Murphy at 1B and find it funny that you are ok with him there next year but not in LF this year.
I still think the Mets will look for a vet to leave Thole in AAA for a while. That is why I am advocating Barajas. IF I thought they were not going to bring in a vet and needed EVERY penny for other positions then I have no problem with Thole as long as Jerry is not the manager. Thus uh.. well we have already been here.
fongy2
9/24/2009-2:47pm at 2:47 pm (UTC -4)
Its not so much that i’m ok w/Murph@1B,
But again its realist to think we’re
not where we thought we were 10/11 mos.
ago in terms of being a true contender.
Also, Murph has show himself to be passable @1B whereas in LF he was a
nightmare. yes,i’d like Big Prince or
AGone @ 1B but we know thats not likely
and if it is, that means a rotation of
scrubs and not yet ready kids in LF AND
a #4 or 5 brought in as a SP instead of
a #1 or 2.
trs86
9/24/2009-2:54pm at 2:54 pm (UTC -4)
That’s where we differ again. I see next year as the last year to go for it with this core. If they are healthy and we don’t win then they gotta be split up. So I don’t see this year as that much different than last year. We are missing 3 pieces from being competitive. It is not unrealistic to think we can fill all 3.
mattsmith
9/24/2009-10:56am at 10:56 am (UTC -4)
Rod Barajas (or bare-ass, as I like to call him) was the biggest stiff ever to wear a Phillies uniform. He was dreadful. I think he commented about the “pressure” of playing in a big market like Philly … so imagine how much of a no-good, talentless rock he’d be in New York.
Stay away at all costs. Don’t believe his “solid numbers” in Toronto.
trs86
9/24/2009-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
I respect your opinion but but it’s a little bit of envisionist history. He had a .745 OPS while he was with you guys. That would put him near the top of NL catchers this year.
fongy2
9/24/2009-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
TRS, sorry…you can present any numbers you want, Barajas isn’t very good.
Like I said above, being in the Philliy TV market, I saw what he did while
w/the Phils and it wasn’t very impressive.
Like by argument about Brett Myers, who has a golden arm no doubt.
He has never been what he should be on the field AND has trouble with
the media, how do ya think that would work out here?
trs86
9/24/2009-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
Don’t switch subjects. Go look at the list of FA catchers and give me a counter name.
fongy2
9/24/2009-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
Ya know,I can see how easily you get into here with others.
I’m not “switching subjects” AND I’m not advocating signing
ANYONE. I do know that,having seen enough of him that Barajas
isn’t good enough to be almost any type of an improvement over
Santos and Thole coming into next season. Also, since YOU are
always worried about budget, why throw away a couple/three Mil
on signing a guy real quick(like with Redding) instead of just
holding off and getting a similar (and maybe better) player
cheaper w/o holding back Thole or even Santos.
trs86
9/24/2009-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
Who is holding either back? Did you read the post? Barajas would be on a 1 year deal and platooning with Santos.
Of course he is not good, he is just better than the alternatives and provides something.
fongy2
9/24/2009-11:54am at 11:54 am (UTC -4)
Again, having seen enough of him, I’d pass.
trs86
9/24/2009-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
OK, but if not him then you will be saying that about someone else after next year.
trs86
9/24/2009-11:54am at 11:54 am (UTC -4)
And I mostly get into it because some of you like to say this player is bad or that player is bad but you never look at what is actually available and see what alternatives there are. We can’t get the best player for every position and sometimes there are very different levels of bad. On levels of bad Barjas would be a 10, Bard a 5 and Kendall a 3. All still bad but Barajas actually giving something to the team. Would I spend 3M on him or go more than 1 year? Nope.
Would I spend 1-2 on him and on a 1 year with an option? Yeah, why not?
No matter who out of that group we sign, it’s better than handing the position to Thole next year and allowing Jerry to Murphy him.
fongy2
9/24/2009-11:55am at 11:55 am (UTC -4)
Hopefully it wont be Jerrys decision to make.
trs86
9/24/2009-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
Come on Fongy that is as realistic as the Mets getting Holiday AND Lackey.
fongy2
9/24/2009-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
No, I don’t think theres ANY chance
we are even involved for Holliday
BUT Lackey could be another subject.
And until he indicates he wants no part of
NY/The Mets, he should be the focus
when their season ends.
trs86
9/24/2009-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed on that. I think they will make a big push for him.
But back to Jerry, you have to assume it’s 90% that he’s back.
fongy2
9/24/2009-12:09pm at 12:09 pm (UTC -4)
According to Wilpons own words sounds more
like 99.9%! BUT even a pessimistic Met fan
can hope,…No??
trs86
9/24/2009-12:12pm at 12:12 pm (UTC -4)
That’s the reason I went back down to 90, LOL>
prismo
9/24/2009-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
Well I like his wife…
fongy2
9/24/2009-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
Okay. But I Love mine!
trs86
9/24/2009-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
Of interesting note, Schneider has a similar OPS to Bard and a better OPS than Kendall.
fongy2
9/24/2009-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
And none should be starting Catchers anymore.
trs86
9/24/2009-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed.
stickguy
9/24/2009-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
For a cheap, 1 year, part time, give Thole a year at AAA to get ready option, he is probably as good as you wil lfind.
They might be better off with a trade, but I don’t really know who might be available. And I don’t trust Omar to trade for him!
One big problem, from all reports, is that this years FA pool stinks. There are about 5 guys total that are worth signing, and beyond that, might sas well go with the junk in your own system.
And don’t be surprsised when Schnieder comes back for 1 year. I said this yesterday when he got a 2nd straight start, and read Jerry’s ramblings.
Also, what about other options in the Mets system? Cancel of course (don’t see that), and Rene Rivera. Not a great year by him, but he did hit 9 HRs, so he has some power. Although overall, looks to be about like Santos.
OK, all the catchers stink. Go back to the trade options.
trs86
9/24/2009-12:03pm at 12:03 pm (UTC -4)
Not much there either. Unless you could get the Dodgers to sell low on Martin. I would love to see Olivo come in but I don’t see that one either.
stickguy
9/24/2009-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
TRS, to answer your recurring question (“who else”), we are really working with only half the data.
That is, we know who wil lbe a FA next year (barring them signing an extension of course), but we really don’t “know” who is available.
Heck, everyone is available for a price, and no, I don’t know what that is either!
So, let’s trade Castillo to the Cubs for Soto. I’ll take Martin from the Dodgers too!
Hmm.., this dream of trading Castillo to the Cubs (the one team that actually seems to like him, and needs what he can do) is going to keep me going this winter…
And heck, maybe not Soto, but is there any other younger catcher coming off a bad season (who has had good ones before that) that might be available?
trs86
9/24/2009-12:14pm at 12:14 pm (UTC -4)
I am not sure the Cubs are ready to give up on Soto.
I really think the Rangers might finally part with Salty for a pitcher.
fongy2
9/24/2009-12:43pm at 12:43 pm (UTC -4)
Fine but hes a bad defensive Catcher and another built up Braves prospect
who is not nearly the player they claimed he was.
And they say WE build up OUR prospects??????
trs86
9/24/2009-12:47pm at 12:47 pm (UTC -4)
Dang Fongy, LOL. What are we supposed to do if they decide to leave Thole down?
darknova306
9/24/2009-2:19pm at 2:19 pm (UTC -4)
Robinson Cancel!!!!!! … HAHAHAHA… :p
trs86
9/24/2009-2:22pm at 2:22 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, It’s tough being a know it all on here. I can’t get anything accomplished anymore. I pick out a bad catcher who is better than the rest of the bad catchers because I know the Mets won’t go with Thole and I still get taken.
wannybackstra
9/24/2009-3:49pm at 3:49 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t understand how you can say he’s the best free agent at his position and expect him to be cheap.
Obviously many teams need a catcher and if he’s the best available, it’ll likely drive up his price somewhat.
And I’m not so sure he’s any better than any of the other crappy catchers available in free agency. I sure don’t think he’s worth paying more for than anyone else.
The Jose Molina idea was a good one. As Jerry said yesterday, he prefers a defensive catcher and Jose is as good as they come.
trs86
9/24/2009-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t see the Yankee’s letting Molina go. I never said he was the BEST available. I said he was the best of the crap. Molina and Hernandez will get more money. I don’t see anyone paying Barajas to be a full time catcher. If he cost more than 2M then forget it.
We always get caught up on these things. LOL. If they cost more than what I THINK they will then move on what does it matter? LOL.
wannybackstra
9/24/2009-4:11pm at 4:11 pm (UTC -4)
Yankees won’t keep Molina with Cervelli ready and Romine on the way.
trs86
9/24/2009-4:15pm at 4:15 pm (UTC -4)
You may be right. I would be fine with Molina. I would still like to see how much it would cost to get Olivo. It would be entertaining to see him on the Mets.
wannybackstra
9/24/2009-4:18pm at 4:18 pm (UTC -4)
I’d take my chances with Thole before paying any of these awful hitters who will want something substantially more than the veteran’s minimum.
Why pay for crap when you can have crap for free?
I think guys like Molina or Bard would take something close to the veteran’s minimum or slightly above and could be disgarded easily if Thole proves ready at AAA. Plus, both are solid defensive catchers and would at least bring that to each game.
trs86
9/24/2009-4:23pm at 4:23 pm (UTC -4)
I would hate to think that 1.5M if Barajas take 2M would keep us from getting anyone else. Especially considering how much better he is than Bard. Molina does bring something to the table however, but I would assume he will make a little more than mlb minimum this year.
Also I would not call Olivo crap in the catchers market. A .790 OPS for a catcher is nothing to take lightly even if it is SLG induced. But again, how much would it cost? It is very relative of course.
wannybackstra
9/24/2009-4:43pm at 4:43 pm (UTC -4)
Considering Olivo made 2.7m this year and Barajas 2.5m and there are still GMs who believe the HR stat means more than others, then I’m not so sure these guys are going to take the pay cuts you think they will.
You also have to consider whether that power will translate to Citifield.
I’d much prefer a bottom of the order hitter have an OBP than a SLG in the NL to a) clear the pitcher’s spot and because b) with the sluggers on base in front of him, a single might be enough. I don’t see much value in an all or nothing type hitter batting 7th or 8th in the NL.